Concrete block molding machine



1951 w. G. SHERMAN ET AL CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING momma 4 Sheep's-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1947 M N s a mm m r NH N Esmw 5 w M I. J UV: 8 m mn Hw W Feb. 20, 1951 w. G. SHERMAN ET AL 2,542,584

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS W/L sun 0. SHERMAN,

HARRY WRIGHT a y au/vro/v .wAv/osmv AGE/VT Feb. 20, 1951 w. G. SHERMAN ET AL 2,542,584

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet s Vim-A8 l8 l7 '8 E L i 3 s I |1- 21 IJIJ 2'r AQENT Feb. 20, 1951 w. G. SHERMAN ET AL 2,542,534

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TORS W/L EUR 6. SHERMAN, HA RR Y WR/GH T 8 BY 6L IN TON J. 04 V/DSON WHM AGENT Patented Feb. 20, 1951 Ji-Davidson; Sam Diego, fialif assignors toiAce' curate; Tool and: Engine ring Gnmna yr Diem, Galit c n tner h n: on is in o Elton; and; Harry Wright-I Applicafibmiilll'g ustili1947;,Serial No; 768284211 ing machine, and the object's;- of our? invention are:

First, to provide an entirely automatic concreteblock molding machine. Second, to provide as concrete bloclc molding; machine of this class in which the cycle 'ofi op:-

eration may be readily varied by electrieai timing devices as desired.

Third, to provide a machine of this: class in which the various operations performedquence maybe timed accordanceto require:- -mentsof various materials being molded by the machine, and such variations may be readily accomplished by-' simple adjustment of electrical timing switches.

Fourth, toprovide aconcrete molding machine of, this class which' is entirely hydraulically and electrically" controlled! Fifth, to provide a machine, of this class hav ing; electrically operated" control switches remotely'controHed to the vibrating mechanism of the machine whereby said switches" are undisturbed" and operate very accurately? Sixth, to provide a: machine of this class-haveing high production capacity:

Seventh, to provide a machine of this? class which receives a; mixture 'of' material and" livers formed" blocks on pallet'si automatically.

Eighth, to provide a. machine of this class which maybe interrupted during; one" of the various sequences of operation involved in forming concrete blocks if desired.

' Ninth, to provide a machine of this class which produces blocksrof a very high quality-and "of reasonably" precise} dimensional tolerances, and" Tenth, to provide a machine of this'class which is very simple and economical in-"proporti'orr to its utility; efiicient; durable; and; which" will not readily deteriorate or-"get out of order;

With these and other objectsirr view, as will appear hereinafter, our invention consists; of certain novel features of construction; combination and arrangement of" parts and portions as;

will be" hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in: the; appended claims; reference being had to the accompanying" drawings and to the characters of reference thereon forminga part of this application in which: Figure-1 a is a side elevational view ofourconcrete block molding machine" showing portions thereof broken awayanrf in" section to -amplifythe illustration;= Figure 2- is a" front elevational view of our concrete lol'ock'molding machine;

1 Our invention-relates-to a concretebloclmoldf- V 34 is fragmentary plan}. sectional: view talgen from; theiline 3I..-3e of, Eigll lfi E i it an -E=nlar ed fra mentar anisectionall iev when from the line- Iii-4.0 of; Figure: r showmatne structure on an enlargedi 56318;) Figure: lil is; a fragmentary sectionalvievw taken; from the line H-M of Figure 1104- F igurea 12 is a ding-mime matic view showing in combination the airlio and electrical control meansi of our concrete lock molding machi-ne, and Figure 1'3; i;s;am:enr 'largecl sectional viewtakem from the line; [33;1-13

of Figure 3 Similarcharact'ers of reference refer tmsimilax parts and port-ions:throughouta thez.several; views of thedrawing:

Themain frame stripperframe: 2;. compression frame compressioni legs compression cylinder stripper: firamea operating: cylinder; 5, mold 1 mold vibrating 'framei 8, shafts; 93-Houcent'riov-ibrators III; vibrator motors: EL pallet legs 12, hopper l3, feed 160x44, feed: hoic'actuating cylinder I 5 conveyor 'framei I16; conyeyor f chains H; cleats i8; pallets la, conveyor motor 20 pallet stop levers: Zilgsolenoide 22;, 2:3, "springs 2 4", conveyor sprocket 25:, shafitsrZfig; chain idle-r rollers fl, belt's:28; moldlframe mounts m, hydraulic pump I 3!], pressure reliefvalve' 3:1, =solenoid 'va1ves 32, 3%, 34; VSE-and; 36, relays; 3'1 and 38; holding coil? 35, timer motors 4.13;..timer shaft. 41 timer; cams:-

43; 44', 45, r 45;. 45518, 49; 50; M, 52'; 53, 54,- and 55,- check valveiili, throttle. valve; 5.1;. gauge 58, time11- casecfw, switches: to. inclusive; pallet. frame 1-.1, springs. 1:8; control paneli 1:9; and the: flexible tubes 8ll constitute: the; principal. parts? and nor-'- tions of -our concrete block-molding machine.

The frame I provided: with a; base: portion kw consisting of two runners libi and li'c mtercon- "nected by cross members id: adapted? torsupport our concrete blocl-:'--" molding: machin orrflthe ground; .l'eci-ir'ed tar-the runners l b and lnz are pression frame frame 8 is resiliently with the main frame to exert've'rtical tension in connection with the "mold frame 9 for 'reloading the mold frame -mouhts 29 and compensating for the weight of the mold 8 together with the load therein per- 'attheir opposite ends in this mold frame 8 rigidly supports the mold I in 3 the stripper frame operating cylinder 6 all as shown best in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. Secured to the inner sides of the upright members Ia and If of the frame I are angle members Ih and I7 respectively. These angle members In and I9 form slide ways for the stripper frame 2. This stripper frame 2 consists of a pair of channels 2a and 2b as shown in Figure 4 of the draw- I4 to the rear side of which is connected the plunger of the hydraulic cylinder I5. This feed box I4 is slidably supported on the rails Im of the frame I and is arranged to pass over the upper side of the mold 1 by action of the hy- V draulic cylinder l5. Contiguous with the top of ing interconnected at their upper ends by a cross.

member 2c and interconnected at their lower ends by a cross member 2d. The plunger 6a of 6 is secured to the upper cross mem 7 the cylinder ber 20 of the stripper frame 2 and supports the same in the main frame I. -The cylinder Ii is a hydraulic cylinder arranged to extend and retract the plunger Ba for reciprocal movement of the stripper frame 2 in the main frame I. Secured to the side edges of the channels the stripper frame 2 are guide ways as shown in Figure of the drawing. These guide -ways 2e and 2f are secured to the channel members 3a of the compression frame 3 providing vertical reciprocal guiding means for the compression frame 3 in its longitudinal movement of the stripper frame 2. provided with a the cross member the plunger 5b of this hydraulic cylinder 5 is The hydraulic cylinder 5 is base portion 5a connected to of the stripper frame 2, and

secured to the cross member 32) of the compression frame 3 as shown best in Figure 2 of the drawing, which cross member 3b interconnects the channel members 30; of said compression frame 3 at its lower end. Connected to this com- 3 are the stripper legs 30 which extend downwardly from the cross member 3] and these stripper legs 30 as shown in Fig. 4 of 'the drawing are provided with open spaces 3d arranged to bypass the cores Ia of the mold I together with the supports 1b in connection with said cores la. The frame I is provided with a box shaped mold supporting structure Ilc which is secured at its opposite end to the uprights Ie and I) of said frame I at the outer sides thereof as shown best in Figure 3 of the drawings. Se- -"cur'ed to this mold supporting structure Ik are resilient rubber mounts 29 which are the mold frame mounts. These'mounts are supported in a cup 29a fixed to the box Ik and the internal bore portions 2% receive the trunnion 29c connected to the mold frame 8. Thus,- the mold supported in connection I and the springs I8 tend "the shafts 9 rotatively operated by the motors II. vThese motors II are identical motors secured to the uprights Ia and I! of the frame I as shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings. As shown in 2a and 2b'of 2c and 2fthe feed box l4 and connected to the rear thereof lower delivery opening of the hopper I3 when the feed box I4 is disposed over the mold I for dumping concrete thereinto. The forward side of the feed box I4 at its lower edge is notched out to pass over the supports lb of the core Ia in the mold I as shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings. The conveyor frame I6 is fixed to the runners Ib and In of the main frame I, and opposite ends of this conveyor frame I6 support the shafts 26 on which the sprockets 25 are arranged to support the conveyor chain II. These conveyor chains 11 have laterally disposed cleats I8 arranged to engage'the pallets I9 which gravitate in the pallet frame H in stacked relationship to each other as shown on Figure l of the drawings. Thus, each cleat I8 successively picks up one of the pallets I9 and directs it toward the lower side of the mold I during operation. The

' rollers 21 are supported in connection with the conveyor frame I6 and are chain idler rollers Figure 2 of the drawings the shafts 9 are mounted the mold frame 9, and

which the hollow cores Ia are suspended by the cross members 'Ib all as shown best in Figs. 2 f and 3 of the drawings. It will be here noted that 'the mold I together with the stripper feet 3c in connection with the compression frame 3 may be varied in form in order to produce different bricks -as desired. The hopper I3 is arranged to receive .a relatively dry mix of concrete, and the condetermined that exact and proper timing of such -machines cannot be accomplished where the timring switches are subject to vibration.- Therefore, all connections between the mechanism suparranged to prevent sag of the conveyor chains II. It will be here noted that the pallets I9 may be madeof plywood or any other suitable flat material and require no special shaping or forming operations, and are arranged to engage the pallet stop levers 2I which are each provided with a hook portion 2 I 11 arranged to engage the pallets I9 on the conveyor chains H for stoppin the same at precise location under the mold 7. This pallet stop lever 2I is pivoted on a pin 2 lb and is connected at its lower end to the link 23, secured to the solenoid 22 which is arranged to electrically actuate the pallet stop lever 2| in opposed relationship to the spring 24 at a predetermined in the operation of our concrete block molding machine. It will be here noted that'the stop levers 2I as shown in Figurel'O-of the drawings .are each identical and aredisposed. at opposite sides of the conveyor adjacent the conveyor chain II. Secured to the lower cross member 2d of the stripper frame 2 are pallet supporting legs 29 which are arranged to raise pallets I9 I successively after the pallet stop. levers 2| interrupt the same in connection with the conveyor as will be hereinafter described in the operation of our concrete block molding machine. The motor 20 drives the conveyor by means of. the belt 20a op- .erating over a pulley in connection with the shaft 26 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The controlpanel I9 is substantially isolated from the mechanism of our concrete block molding machine by the-fiexib1e hydraulic tubes 80 and flex- -ible electrical conduits so that vibration is substantially' eliminated in the control panel I9 wherein intricate electrical switching and hy- .-draulic operating mechanism is applied to control "the motorsandhydraulic cylinders of our concrete-block molding machine. -It has been .crete is arranged to gravitate into thefeed box ported by the frame I and the control panel-I9 ascents 5% are flexible. substantially preventing; the transit. fer of vibration from the vibrating mechanisms of" the machine to the control: mechanism. thereof. Supported on: the controllpaner T9: arethe solenoidvalves-v 32 to=36 inclusive, pressurereliefi valve 3 I, relays. 3x1 and 38,. holding coil .393- timer motor 49, timer shaft. dlgcams. 47: to: lifilinclusiveg. check valve- 55, relief valve 513. gauge:.58,. timer; case- 59, and 'swit'ches. 60 to: 1:6 inclusive. Re-l ferring to the diagrammatic-viewfof the hydraulic. and electrical equipment. of, our concrete. blockmolding machine, it; will be. notemthat: the hu d'raulic pump, 30:- is positioned rearwardly'of the: control panel l5: and: employs a reservoir 3012:; Communicatin with. the: outlet of the pump: 3]]; isa pressure relief.- valve 3|; This: pressure; r.e-.- lief valve 31- provides-at bypass: or: fluid; into: the: tubular return conductor: 3&1): communicating with the reservoir 3 60;. when: the pressure reaches; a predetermined value. the tubular. conductor" 30c communicating with: thelsolenoid va;l-ves;'32. to 36 inclusive. Thus a: constant operating pressure for thesolenoid valves together with; the: hy;- draulic cylinders controlled thereb is: main. tained; The gauge 58 indicateszthepressure. in. the I tubular conductor 30c and disposed. on. the: frontside of the control. panel'lS: as. shown. best in Figure 2 i the drawings. The solenoid. valve 32' communicates. withthe outlet" tube. 39.0: of: the pump-wand is. controlled; by:the.-switch 6.9;. solenoid valve 3'2 is arranged. to; stop; the flow: 015 fluid through the tube 300 and backwardlv through the tube: 3%: into. the. reservoir 30a: in order to direct. the. fluid. intothe solenoid valves 33, 34, and 35 for distribution to. the: cylinders 5 6, and I5. Thus the. pressure; relief. valve (it comes into operation after the. solenoid valve 32 closes theconductor tube 380; beyond: the tubes 311d, 39c, and 30 which: communicate with; the solenoid valves 33', 34 and 35respectivelyr. These solenoid valves 33', 34', and 35- are; three-position valves of the conventional typearrangecl 'toiconsconnected tothe check" valve 56 communicating with the inlet tube 30 arranged to conduct fluid to" the stripper frame operating cylinder 6'; The check valve 56 is arranged to: prevent fiowfrom the cylinder 6- through thetube- 38 and the throttle valve 5l is arranged to permit limited by pass of fluid around the check valve from the cylinder- 5' tothe tube 38 so that radical downward movement of the stripper frame 2' is prevented, and the speed thereof'is controlled By'the rate of flow of fluid through said throttle valve 5T. 7

The operation of our concrete block molding machine is substantially as follows-r The switch 62 is closed and the pump 39 circulates fluid through thetube 38cand backwardly through the tube 362) and into the pump 35m. The switch 61' is closed manually which energizes the holding coil 39' and automatically closing the contacts 39a and 3% which are bridge contacts in connection with the reciprocalcore of the solenoid holding coil 39. Closing of" the contacts 3 95 energizes the motor at which starts rotation of the shaft 4|. Closing of the contacts 3% provides a conductor from oneside of" the holdingclosed-f operatin the solenoidi valve 32-3 which:

closes off-the tubular conductor 30c. Immediately pressure rises in the tube 300 and bleeds off. through: therelief valve 31 after reaching-a pro determinedpressure; The switch 13 then closestoperating' the solenoid valve 1 34 and supplying fluid under" pressure to the hydrauliccylinder 15' which causes the plunger thereof tobe ex tended sliding-the feed box l4 into: position over;

themold T; it heing' note d* that" the feed hox 4 is: open at: its. upper and lower sides and is sup-- ported on an: encl'osi'ngplate Mb'which: isa-staa ti'onaryplate' prevenifing leakage-of 'material passe ing into the feed box M from the hopper F3 The motors II are then energized by means of the switch 65. At this time the switch '53 opens: and the switch-Ht closes causing pressure to be reversed in the. hydraulic cylinder 15 retracting the plunger thereof together with: the feed box l4; It will be. noted: that during the vibration set up: by the motors H in connection with the shafts 9 and the-mold frame 8 that one of the pallets-E I9 is maintained in secure supported 're lati'onship at the lower side. of the mold l by means of the legs 2g: of the stripper frame 2'. The next switch to close is thesw-itch H which causes: extension of the plunger 5b of the hyd'rauliccylinder" 5. This extends. the legs-3e of thecompression: frame 3 downwardly into engagement with the" settled concrete in the mold" I; The cylinder 5 is arranged to exert consid'--- era-ble pressure on the upper side of the concrete blocks for surfacing them, and then the solenoid valve 36 isoperated for. a very: short period: ot time by: momentary closing of the switch T which bypasses fluid from the inlet-or high pressure line tothe low pressure: line whereby the pressure exerted on the p1unger5b in the piston 5 isre laxed momentarily. At this time the switch 15 connection with thesolenoid valve 35 admits fluid under pressure to the upper side of the plungerifi'a 'of the stripper frame operating cylinder-B'; Relaxation of pressure on the concretein the mold due to release of pressure in the cylinder 5 prevents the concrete from seizin in the mold 1 and permits the cylinder 6 to force the stripper frame 2 downwardlyatwhich time pressure again is resumed in the cylinder 5; This forces the concrete blocks out of the mold 1 and. pressure of the legs 30 in connectiorr with the compression frame 3- is resisted by the pallet" l 9"on thesupporti'ng'l'egs Z'g'of the stripper frame 2; The stripper frame continues to'- move down wardly until the pallet l9' rests'on the conveyor chain IT at which time the switch 12 closes and the switch Tl opens retracting the compression legs 30 together with the compression frame 3 This operation is caused by electrical actuation ofthe solenoid valve 33' which reverses'fiow of the hydraulic fluid at opposite ends of r the: cylinder 5' so that pressure on the upper sides of' the concrete block is relieved slightly before the pallet I9 reaches the conveyor chains l1. When'the pallet I 9 carrying the concrete'bl'oclm rests upon the conveyor chains ll, themotor 201selectrically energizedtby means ofthe switch 66 operating in conjunction with the relayil'which moves the conveyor forward placing'a new pallet under the mold 1 and delivering the formed concrete blocks on a pallet in the front of the machine. As the new pallet nears its precise position under the mold l, the solenoid 22 is energized by means of the electrical switch 68 and. the pallet stop lever 2i engages the edge of the pallet as shown in Figure 11 of the drawing precisely locating the same. It will be noted that the timing operation carried on in connection with the switch 66 is so limited by the discs 45 that the motor operates for a certain length of time and is auto matically shut off. Thus the pallet stop lever '2 l. stops the conveyor at the precise position for locating a new pallet under the mold 1. Then, the switch it is closed and the switch i5 is opened permitting the plunger to in the cylinder 6 to be retracted moving the stripper frame 2 upwardly carrying a new pallet on the legs 29 into flush position with the lower side of the mold '1. It will be here noted that the switch 6| is simply a starting switch, and after the motor 40 is once started, it is constantl energized through the contacts 63 and 64 until such time as the switch 64 is opened for stopping the machine. Each revolution of the shaft 4! closes the switch 63 prior to the opening and closing of the switch 64 so that these switches 63 and 64 alternate for continually operating the motor 46 unless shut off- 2':

by means of the emergency switch Ell. The discs 42 to 55 inclusive operate the switches 63 to T6 inclusive and these switches are conventional disc actuated switches manufactured by the Eagle Signal Corporation of Moline, Illinois. Such switches are identified in the bulletin 267 and termed multiple circuit program timers. It will be here noted that variation in the cam surfaces of the discs 42 to 55 respectively maybe made to control time intervals of various operations of our concrete block molding machine and the radial disposition of such cam surfaces may be readily changed to adjust the sequence of such operations. It will be here noted that'vibration set up by means of motors ll driving the shafts 9 having the eccentric vibrators 10 in connection therewith cause the mold frame 8 to vibrate on the resilient rubber mounts 29. These mounts 29 completely isolate the mold frame from the main frame l, but considerable vibration is trans-f mitted thereto. Therefore/all of the hydraulic connections from the control panel 191bearing the solenoid valves to which they are connected are interconnected by the flexible tubes 89 which substantiall prevent the'transfer of vibration from the mechanical structure of our concrete block molding machine to the intricate timing devices and hydraulic valves. The motor so 501', gether with the timing discs and switches in connection therewith are very sensitive and are very accurate in sequence timing, therefore must be isolated from the vibrating structure of the Ina-- chine. It will be here noted that the shaft 41 in connection with the motor 48 rotates slowly and makes one revolution with each complete cycle of our concrete block moldin machine.

, Though we have shown and described a par-' ticular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, we do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of our invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims. --Having thus described our invention,'what we claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPats,

ent'is: i

'1. In a concrete block molding machine of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a mold mounted on said frame, vibrating means connected to said mold, a movable stripper frameon said main frame movable laterally of saidmold, hydraulic cylinder and piston means interconnecting said main frame and said stripper frame for moving said stripper frame relatively.

to said main frame, an endless conveyor below said mold arranged to convey pallets thereunder, and means connected to said stripper frame for raising pallets from said conveyor to the lower side'of said mold, a second hydraulic cylinder and plunger means and a compression frame having stripper legs thereon, said second hydraulic cylinder and plunger means interconnecting said strip-5 per frame and said compression frame for. come pressing material in said mold, a hopper at one side of said mold, a reciprocally mounted feed box below said hopper, hydraulic cylinder and plunger means interconnecting said main frame and said feed box for moving the same over said mold, a timer having a plurality of electrical switches in connection therewith, and solenoid valves communicating with each of said hydraulic cylinders, said electrical switch means arranged to operate in sequence all of said hydraulic cylindots and said vibrating means, operating in sequence said solenoid valves and said vibrating means.

2. In a concrete block molding machine of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a mold mounted on said frame, vibrating means connected to said mold, a movable stripper frame on said main frame movable laterally of said mold, hydraulic cylinder and piston means interconnecting said'main frame and said stripper frame for moving said stripper frame relatively to said main frame, an endless conveyor below said mold arranged to convey pallets thereunder, and means connected to said stripper frame for raising pallets from said conveyor to the lower side of said mold, a second hydraulic cylinder and plunger means and a compression frame having stripper legs thereon, said second hydraulic cylinder and plunger means interconnecting said stripper frame and said compression frame for compressing material in said mold, a hopper at one side of said mold, a reciprocally mountedfeed box below said hopper, hydraulic cylinder and plunger means interconnecting said main frame and said feed box for moving the same over said mold, a timer havin a plurality of electrical switches communicating therewith, and solenoid valves in connection with each of said hydraulic cylinders, said electrical switch means arranged to operate in sequence all of said hydraulic cylinders and said vibrating means, operating in Se quence said solenoid valves and said vibrating means, said switch means and said solenoid valves flexibly connected with said hydrauliccylinders and said vibrating means.

3. In a concrete block molding machine of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a mold mounted on said frame, vibratin means connected to said mold, a movable stripper frame on said main frame movable laterally of said mold, hydraulic cylinder and piston means inter connecting said main frame and said stripper frame for moving said stripper frame relatively to said main frame, an endless conveyor below said mold arranged to convey pallets thereunder, and meansconnected to said stripper frame for amass;

1.1 .tor, l flexible conductors connecting said solenoid valves with said hydraulic cylinders arranged to prevent vibration from being transferred from said vibrator to said switch means. i 8. In a concrete block molding machine of -the class described the combination-of a main frame, La' stripper frame reciprocally mounted thereon, a hydraulic cylinder having a plunger for ac: tuating said stripper frame in said main frame, a compression frame reciprocally mounted on said stripper frame, a second hydraulic cylinder hav: ing a plunger for operating said compression frame on said stripper frame, a mold yieldably mounted on said main frame and relatively stationarily located thereon, vibrating means con: nected to said mold, a third hydraulic cylinder mounted on said mainframe at the side of said mold and having a plun er, a feed boxin con, nection with the plunger of said third hydraulic cylinder for moving said feed box over said mold, a hopper oversaidfeed box, a; conveyor below said mold, means connected to said stripper frame arranged to elevate pallets-from said conveyor to the bottom of said mold, said compression frame having compression legs therein arranged to be extended through said mold for ejecting blocks from said mold onto said pallet, a motor for operating said conveyor, an electrically operated stop lever arranged to precisely locate pallets under said mold, and electrical switch means timed for sequence operation of said pallet stop lever with said motor in operating said conveyor, saidmeans for vibrating said mold includin mo: tors electrically connectedwith said switch means whereby cooperative timing of said vibrator-is accomplished, solenoid valves hydraulically communicating with all of said hydraulic cylinders. said switch means electrically connected to said solenoid valves for cooperatively timing the sequence of the operation of said hydraulic cylinder, said conveyor and said vibrator, flexible conductors connecting said solenoid valves with said hydraulic cylinders arranged to prevent vibration from being transferred from said vibrator to said switch means, a pump arranged to provide fluid pressure to said-solenoid valves for operating said hydraulic cylinders. l .11.;

9.; In a concrete block molding machine of the class described, the combination of a main frame. a stripper frame reciprocally mounted thereon, a hydraulic cylinder and-plunger means inter; connecting said main frame and said stripper frame, a compression frame reciprocally mounted on said stripper frame, a second hydraulic cylin der-and' piston means interconnecting said strip-,- per frame and said compression frame, a mold yieldably mounted on'said main frame and relatively stationarily located thereon, vibrating means connected with said mold, a third hydraulic cylinder and plunger means, a feed box connected with said main frame by said third hydraulic cylinder and piston means, whereby said feed box is movable on said main frame'ove; said mold by said third hydraulic cylinder and plunger means, a-hopper-over said feed 'bOX, 8, conveyer below said 'mold, means connected to said stripper frame, arranged to elevate pallets from said conveyer to the bottom of said mold, said compression frame having compressicnlegs thereon, arranged to be extendedthrough said mold for ejecting blocks from'said mold onto on of said pallets.

- WILBUR G. SHERMAN.

HARRY WRIGHT. CLINTON J. DAVIDSON.

REFERENCES crrED fihe following references are'of record in the filecf this'patent: V V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,905,619 Carton Apr. 25, 1933 1,921,003 Romie Aug. 8, 1933 2,029,365 Gelbman Feb. 4, 1936 $2,308,132 Wellnitz Jan. 12, I943 2,341,012 Billman et al. Feb. 8, 1944 2,382,458 Williams et al. Aug. 14, 1945 2,407,168 Lindkvist Sept. 3, 1946 Jet 

